Is it possible to still find a 3 bdrm 2 bthrm property for under $120 000 in a good area with low crime? (Jacksonville: short sale, real estate market)

[compelled to reply]

I don't live far from that neighborhood, yes there are a lot of foreclosures but they must be the cleanest foreclosures I have ever seen, thus people are snapping them up pretty fast, so it doesn't have that "dead" feel. Check property appraisers website. It's also causing the property values in that area to plummet down to about where they are actually worth (those should be 100k or less IMO). Those two also weren't foreclosures.

[taylorsmom]

Here's a 3 bedroom in Davie for $120,000

Condo/Townhouse/Co-Op - 3679 SW 59Th Av Unit: 108, Davie, FL, 33314 - Realtor.com

[compelled to reply]

Originally Posted by taylorsmom

Here's a 3 bedroom in Davie for $120,000

Condo/Townhouse/Co-Op - 3679 SW 59Th Av Unit: 108, Davie, FL, 33314 - Realtor.com

Trust me, you don't want to live there, not a good part of east Davie. Odd, tense mix of neo-nazi types and illegal migrant workers, good amount of crime too. Here is the street view.

http://maps.google.com/maps?q=3679+S...num=1&ct=image

[taylorsmom]

Sorry -- I thought that was up near Nova Village....

[compelled to reply]

Originally Posted by taylorsmom

Sorry -- I thought that was up near Nova Village....

You actually might be able to find something there for that price with the way the market is right now. Those other places should be 50k MAX! Yeah, the rule of thumb is AT LEAST west of Davie Rd unless you are talking about one of those neighborhoods that still have acreage...there is a really nice area east of Davie Rd SOUTH of downtown. It's really just inconsistent until you are west of it though.

[♥♥PRINC3Ss♥♥]

I am not sure if 120k will get you a good property in FT Lauderdale, maybe a decent apartment. (at least in Miami that would be the case)

I heard the Orlando area has been hit really hard with the real estate crisis. I personally know 3 people who bought investment properties and some of them are planning to let their properties go to foreclosure because they owe like twice their property value. I don't know, maybe getting a good Real Estate agent could help you. Florida is huge and maybe there is a good opportunity with pre-forclosure properties.

At least Florida is more affordable than California, but it's not as pretty and the weather is not as nice.

[vegasboy]

To those who are giving valuable and honest opinions, thank you. The truth of the matter is that I live in Cape Town South Africa and have decided it's time to halt any further property investment here.

I now wish to to buy a (first of hopefully a few) overseas properties of which the USA is no1. on my list.

For this reason, I have traveled to the USA more than 3 times the last 6 months, and have been STUDYING AND RESEARCHING the property market for more than 8 months. Now, part of my research is through forums like these where you have to ask questions that may seem mad to others, and sort of try to get a bigger picture through other people's opinions and posts as I cannot visit ALL the US states, cities and towns, hence the same post on different forums.

What then becomes very frustrating is when members outrightly post rude comments which really isn't helping me at all.

Someone even suggested that this forum is not for what I am using it, and that I should contact a realtor. Truth is that this site helps me to verify claims made by some realtors. If you had to buy a property in a different country but couldn't stay there for a long while you would probably understand what the value of this website is to FN's.

NOW: I do not perticularly care where in the USA I buy my first property. Currently, I'm looking more towards Florida simply because I've been there a few times recently and will be there in 3 weeks time again.

I just want to buy a place to lock up and leave until my next visit. I am not looking to relocate and I do not need to rent the property out.

The property should however be in a good neighbourhood, 3/2 and of course, low crime and under $120 000. Also as mentioned before my bank will not do short term rental as I am on a FN program.

Some posts suggested that it was impossible 'anywhere in the USA' but I found recently built residential homes in Punta Gorda FL for less than my budget, 3/2 with double garage etc.

Any suggestions or tips wil be highly appreciated.

Roy

[ckngldrado]

Ummmm, no. Not in Ft. Lauderdale. Not these days. Unless you find a foreclosure which its sounds like you do not want to do. I doubt you could find a 3/2 in a bad neighborhood for that price.

[Lawlady]

Are you ties to South Florida? If not....look at Tradition in Port St Lucie.

[tallrick]

Invest in industry, real estate is the worst place to put your money. Do not be suckered in to losing your capital here.